SMH: King-of-bright John Olsen reveals his dark and melancholy side

Media News

SMH: King-of-bright John Olsen reveals his dark and melancholy side

2021-06-21

by Danielle Neely

Article by John McDonald

The public Olsen is a great performer but occasionally, alone in the studio at night, a different persona emerges. John Olsen: Goya’s Dog is an exhibition originally conceived by the late Bill Wright, and followed through by National Art School director Steven Alderton.

The idea, as explained in a letter that Wright wrote to Olsen, was to look at the artist’s “introspective” paintings.

Image: John Olsen, Donde voy? Self-portraits in moments of doubt, 1989, oil on canvas (diptych), 183 x 366 cm, Private collection, Sydney

Thank you for supporting the National Art School this year. We wish you a happy festive season.

Our closure dates are 24 December - 2 January. We look forward to welcoming you back on campus in the new year.

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Dec 24

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Thank you for supporting the National Art School this year. We wish you a happy festive season. Our closure dates are 24 December - 2 January. We look forward to welcoming you back on campus in the new year.

This holiday season, give the gift of creativity.

Whether your loved one is eager to begin their artistic journey, or they wish to continue learning and making art, a National Art School Gift Card will help them unlock their creative potential.

Give a gift that inspires. Buy a National Art School Gift Card today.

Learn more at the link in bio.

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Dec 19

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This holiday season, give the gift of creativity. Whether your loved one is eager to begin their artistic journey, or they wish to continue learning and making art, a National Art School Gift Card will help them unlock their creative potential. Give a gift that inspires. Buy a National Art School Gift Card today. Learn more at the link in bio.

Congratulations to all HSC students receiving their end of year results today! And to our future students, we look forward to meeting you in 2025.

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Dec 17

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Congratulations to all HSC students receiving their end of year results today! And to our future students, we look forward to meeting you in 2025.

A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Kaela Jacobs, ‘Tough. (A series of delicate things. I am one of them.)’, 2024, aluminium, silver keyrings, synthetic hair, rivets, 121 x 90 cm
Ellie Pamp, ‘Untitled (Faun series) #2’, 2024, oil on wood board, 20 x 25 cm
Ksenia Kirkbride, ‘Serpent`s Cycle, The Path to Wisdom’, 2024, oil on linen, 100 x 100 cm
James Stewart, ‘sandcastles (mound)’, 2024, terracotta, white earthenware slip, 50 x 49 x 50 cm
Jodie McGill, ‘In conversation with Les’, 2024, oil on Belgium linen, 122 x 91.5 cm
Mitchell Timms, ‘Garden of Odd’, 2024, watercolour and graphite drawing, 21 x 15 cm
Dean O’Brien, ‘The Dear Repose For Limbs With Travel Tired’, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 61 x 4 cm
Chaya Atkins, ‘Veil’, 2024, oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm
Alba Stephen, ‘Small Size Me (CMYK edition)’, 2024, screenprint with acrylic on paper, 19 x 19 cm
Bronte O’Shannessy, ‘Warmth’, 2024, mixed media, 70 x 70 cm

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Dec 13

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A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Jacinta Robinson, ‘Sacred Hollow’, 2024, acrylic on raw canvas, 122 x 152 cm
Harriet Clark, ‘Mum21’, 2024, glazed stoneware, 46 x 24 x 24 cm
Libby Moore, ‘Keep me safe’, 2024, plaster of paris, 26 x 14 x 7cm (boxed)
Jeremy Rotenstein, ‘Rose Metal’, 2024, cast metal and sandstone, 38 x 32 x 7 cm
Harrison Chao, ‘Node 4 (Open)’, 2024, oil on canvas, 90 x 120 cm
Gitte Backhausen, ‘Repercussions’, 2024, acrylic on found wooden pegboard, 90 x 60 cm
Gabriel Suni Sallo, ‘Plaza de Armas II’, 2024, acrylic and oil on wooden panel, 120 x 107 x 2.5 cm
Ariel Filler, ‘Pop and Skip’, 2024, oil, acrylic, dry pigment and glue on canvas, 110 x 97 x 2 cm
Sevgi Yilmaz, ‘Residue’, 2024, spray paint on dropcloth, 80 x 45.5 cm
Shauna Carroll, ‘Sacrifice of Andromeda’, 2024, oil on board, 90 cm

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Dec 13

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A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Francisca Carrasco-Reyes, ‘Bleeding Light’, 2024, latex on stretched polyester, 74 x 49.5 cm
Samira El Chami, ‘Fruits’, 2024, glazed stoneware, 8.5 x 18.2 x 15.5 cm
Grace Buckley, ‘Blossom’, 2024, canvas, upholstery, fringe, pins, 70 x 41 cm
Harriet Brealey, ‘Wraith’, 2024, etching on Fabriano Rosapina, 49.5 x 35 cm
Ruby McVicar, ‘Go (extension)’, 2024, wooden guillotine, mint pasties, licorice, brass cups, polymer clay, plastic binder, paper, 6 x 34 x 56 cm
Trey Martin, ‘Hallow Bone’, 2024, earthenware, paint, 40 x 25 x 25 cm
Stephanie Barakat, ‘Colonoscocave’, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 118 x 4.2 cm
Karim Fares, ‘Pipes’, 2024, plywood, construction adhesive, acrylic paint, spray paint, alcohol markers, PVA, collected stickers, superglue, collected tiles, PVC piping, prop rubber mouse, 20 x 24.5 cm
Olivia Lindgaard, ‘Modern Prey’, 2024, found wood, 165 x 150 x 60 cm
Chloe Lane, ‘Mighty Atom, 2024, oil and acrylic on canvas, 122 x 91 cm

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Dec 13

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SMH: King-of-bright John Olsen reveals his dark and melancholy side